Honda Jazz review (2015-2020)
The Honda Jazz is a great option if you want loads of space and practicality, all wrapped up in a package that’s small enough to take the stress out of parking and keeps running costs to a minimum. It’s full of clever touches, including ‘Magic’ seats which make a huge practical difference. Find out what it's like to drive in our road-tested Honda Jazz review.
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Pros
- Economical
- Good space for a small car
- Reliability track record
Cons
- Not the sharpest to drive
- CVT gearbox can be a bit slow
Interior
Our rating: 6/10
Tech and features
The dashboard on the Mk3 Honda Jazz is tall and upright, with the speedometer directly ahead of the driver and flanked by a rev counter and circular digital display.
There are numerous vents across the top of the dash, leading you to a central infotainment touchscreen with a digital climate control display below that.
The buttons below the climate panel let you set it just the way you want. Below that is a stubby gearstick that isn’t much of a stretch, with various power and USB sockets ahead of it.
As you’d expect of a Honda, both versions are superbly well put-together, with classy-feeling plastics in the areas you usually touch and sturdy plastics lower down.
All the levers and switches feel like they’ll keep operating in exactly the same way for many years to come.
Driving position
It’s a shame that adjustable lumbar support isn’t available. Newer Crosstar models have water-repellent fabric on the seats, which means a spilt macchiato will never pose an issue – unless you spill it over your trousers.
Performance
Our rating: 6/10
Handling and ride comfort
The Honda Jazz excels in town. It has light steering that makes the car a doddle to park, and the large glass areas mean you get a superb view out forwards and backwards – this car is built for parking garages.
The suspension in the later car is slightly softer, and the good news is that you won’t feel uncomfortable in any Jazz.
Engines and power
The previous-shape car came with either a 1.3- or 1.5-litre petrol engine. The latter is slightly punchier and barely any thirstier, so makes a fine choice. There’s no diesel option.
The latest model offers a 1.5-litre hybrid drivetrain that’s smooth and quite quiet, and allows for short periods of electric-only motoring. It also gives the Jazz a respectable turn of pace, so keeping up with traffic is no bother at all.
Practicality
Our rating: 8/10
Storage solutions
This is where the Jazz is truly magic – no, really.
It has a ‘Magic Seats’ system that allows the rear seats to be folded down to extend the boot.
These also allow you to lift the seat cushion, cinema-style, so you can place large loads securely behind the front seats. Superb.
Rear seats
So that’s stuff covered, but what about people? There’s a huge amount of room for a couple of adults up front, and space for another couple of tall people behind them.
A third passenger will fit too, although there won’t be any social distancing going on. Still, the flat floor means they won’t have to straddle a tunnel.
Boot space
Boot space is superb in both generations, with space for large suitcases or pushchairs, and a low lip to lift things over.
Running costs
Our rating: 8/10
Fuel economy
Any Jazz should be cheap to run. Even the thirstiest engine (the 1.5-litre in the older-generation car) should manage an average economy figure in the low to mid-40s, and the other engines should do a bit better than that.
Insurance groups
Insurance costs are relatively low for the class, with groupings kicking off at 13 and topping out at 20.
Reliability
Reliability is, frankly, superb. The Jazz is known for being one of the most dependable cars you can buy, with few areas of concern.
It tends to lead a life of family duties, so just make sure that everything folds, raises, twists and turns in exactly the way its maker intended, and you’ll be fine.
The verdict
Interior
6/10
Performance
6/10
Practicality
8/10
Running costs
8/10
The Jazz caters for a vast range of potential buyers because it’s small on the outside, huge on the inside, and dependable.
The flexibility of the seats means you can turn it from being a mini-MPV into a small van in just a few seconds, while the tall doors and tailgate opening make it easy to get people and belongings in and out.
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